Tuynhuys

Tuynhuys’s history shows it was originally little more than a tool shed. This was converted into a guesthouse in the year Simon van der Stel became Governor in 1679, by 1710 the guesthouse had been renovated and had become a double-story building with a flat roof.

There is evidence that Tuynhuys was not always habitable. Lord Charles Somerset, who was responsible for much of the re-decoration, had to move out of the building in 1824 as it was not fit to live in. Towards the end of the 19th century, a debate as to its very existence occurred as authorities considered demolishing it, however, further restoration of the residence took place in 1967.

De Tuynhuys has been used as an official residence by almost all the governors of the Cape – Dutch, Batavian and British – and more recently by State Presidents of South Africa after the country became a Republic in 1961

Government Avenue, Cape Town Central